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There was plenty of pre-draft talk about Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict and where he might land (and for those who don’t know, Burfict was the one-time first-round candidate who ended up going undrafted and signing with the Bengals.) But for all of Burfict’s hype, many thought he wasn’t even the best linebacker at ASU. That nod usually went to Colin Parker, who was one of 17 undrafted rookie free agents the Cards came to terms with:

WR Stanley Arukwe, Troy

LB Broderick Binns, Iowa

WR LaRon Byrd, Miami

G Braeden Clayson, Idaho State

FB Jared Crank, Purdue

G Blake DeChristopher, Virginia Tech

DE Tevita Finau, Utah

S Blake Gideon, Texas

WR Tre Gray, Richmond

LB Marcus McGraw, Houston

LB Zach Nash, Sacramento State

CB James Nixon, California (Pa.)

DE Conrad Obi, Colorado

LB Paul Vassallo, Arizona

C Scott Wedige, Northern Illinois

WR Marc Wilson, St. Anselm

And, of course, Parker from ASU.

The list is heavy on linebackers, not a shock after the team did not draft one this past weekend. The number brings the roster total to 85 86 (since apparently I can’t add 69 and 17), leaving five four spots still open for additions, whether they are veterans or otherwise. Because of the rookie minicamp in two weeks, the Cards will also be bringing in a handful of other young players for tryouts, making sure they have enough bodies to run the practices and taking a looksee at some guys.